Great Crested Newt eDNA Survey 2017 FINAL REPORT...Cambourne to Cambridge Better Public Transport:...
Transcript of Great Crested Newt eDNA Survey 2017 FINAL REPORT...Cambourne to Cambridge Better Public Transport:...
Place Of Registration: Cardiff UK
Cambridge Ecology - Company Registration: 6357707
Registered Office: Hilton House 37 Hilton Street, Over, Cambridgeshire, CB24 5PU
Darren Frost BSc (Hons) CEnv MCIEEM CBiol MRSB
July 2017
© Cambridge Ecology
Hilton House, 37 Hilton Street,
Over, Cambridge, CB24 5PU
Telephone: +44 (0)1954 231239
Fax: +44 (0)1954231093 E-mail: [email protected]
Web address: www.cambridgeecology.com
Cambourne to Cambridge Better Public Transport:
Great Crested Newt eDNA Survey 2017
FINAL REPORT
For Greater Cambridge Partnership
Notice to Interested Parties
© Cambridge Ecology Limited. All rights reserved.
No part of this report may be copied or reproduced by any means without prior written
permission from Cambridge Ecology Limited. If you have received this report in error, please
destroy all copies in your possession or control and notify Cambridge Ecology Limited.
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otherwise agreed in writing by Cambridge Ecology Limited, no other party may use, make use
of or rely on the contents of the report. No liability is accepted by Cambridge Ecology Limited
for any use of this report, other than for the purposes for which it was originally prepared and
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Limited using due skill, care and diligence in the preparation of the same and no explicit
warranty is provided as to their accuracy. It should be noted and it is expressly stated that no
independent verification of any of the documents or information supplied to Cambridge
Ecology Limited has been made.
To achieve the study objectives stated in this report, we were required to base our
conclusions on the best information available during the period of the investigation and within
the limits prescribed by our client in the agreement.
No investigative method can completely eliminate the possibility of obtaining partially
imprecise or incomplete information. Thus, we cannot guarantee that the investigations
completely defined the degree or extent of e.g. species abundances or habitat management
efficacy described in the report.
This report is only valid for external use in its final issued version.
Document Information
Report title: Cambourne to Cambridge Better Public Transport: Great Crested Newt eDNA Survey 2017
Client: Greater Cambridge Partnership
Document ref: P0608-R-002a Final Report
Author(s): Darren Frost
Report date: July 2017
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CONTENTS
0 NON- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................... 3
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 4
Background to the survey ................................................................................... 4
Aim........................................................................................................................ 4
Relevant Legislation and Policy ......................................................................... 5
2 METHODS ......................................................................................................... 6
Desk-based literature search .............................................................................. 6
Water Sampling and eDNA Analysis .................................................................. 6
Limitations and Assumptions ............................................................................. 7
3 RESULTS .......................................................................................................... 8
Desk-based literature search .............................................................................. 8
4 RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................... 9
5 KEY POINTS AND FINDINGS ......................................................................... 10
6 BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................................................................................. 11
7 FIGURES ......................................................................................................... 12
8 PHOTOGRAPHS ............................................................................................. 16
TABLES
Table 2.1: Details of the ponds under investigation for the presence of Great
Crested Newt ........................................................................................................ 7
Table 3.1: Results of eDNA analysis of the ponds under investigation for the
presence of Great Crested Newt ......................................................................... 8
FIGURES
Figure 1.1: Plan of the survey area (Red Line Boundary). .............................. 12
Figure 2.1: Ponds identified during the preliminary ecological constraints
survey in January 2017 ..................................................................................... 13
Figure 2.2: Ponds containing water where eDNA water samples were
collected ............................................................................................................. 14
Figure 3.1: Pond where Great Crested Newt eDNA was detected .................. 15
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0 NON- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
0.1 In June 2017 Cambridge Ecology Ltd successfully completed eDNA water
sampling of eight ponds. These ponds were located on land associated with
the Cambourne to Cambridge Better Public Transport Scheme.
0.2 A desk-based literature search and ecological constraints survey carried out
in January 2017 found:
records of Great Crested Newt, showing that this species had been
present at seven sites within 2km of the development site during the
most recent 10 years.
The survey area contained waterbodies that could be used by
amphibian species (including Great Crested Newt) as potential
breeding sites.
0.3 This survey was recommended and aimed to identify the likely presence of
Great Crested Newt in the ponds on land associated with the Cambourne to
Cambridge Better Public Transport Scheme. Their presence could
potentially cause a constraint to the proposed development; and would need
to be considered further in relation to maintaining compliance with wildlife
legislation and planning policy.
0.4 It was considered that the eDNA water sampling and analysis provided a
robust and valid indication of the potential for the site to support Great
Crested Newt. The survey was considered to have been carried out
methodically and all accessible areas searched thoroughly to locate ponds
that could be sampled to detect eDNA indicating the presence of Great
Crested Newt.
0.5 The eDNA analysis found:
One pond (No 8. Sportsground 1) produced a positive result for Great
Crested Newt eDNA.
Three of the ponds to be dry at the time of water sampling, hence they
were not sampled.
Seven ponds produced negative results for Great Crested Newt
eDNA.
0.6 Bearing in mind the proximity of Great Crested Newt to the site and the
ability for wildlife to periodically move to new locations, it is recommended
that to keep this information up to date, to inform the planning application
and impact assessment process; further Great Crested Newt eDNA be
undertaken periodically (e.g. 24 months); especially if the planning
application and/or development proposals were to be delayed
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1 INTRODUCTION
Background to the survey
1.1 On behalf of Greater Cambridge Partnership, Cambridge Ecology Ltd was
commissioned to carry out water sampling and eDNA analysis of ponds on
land associated with the Cambourne to Cambridge Better Public Transport
Scheme. The route will include two main sections, (i) between Madingley
Rise and Grange Road and (ii) Madingley Road and Bourne Airfield.
between Bourne Airfield and Grange Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire.
1.2 Wildlife such as Great Crested Newt are protected by National and
International law. Protected and Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species are
also a material consideration for individual planning consents under the
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which promotes the
enhancement of natural and local environments through planning, and
encourages a move towards achieving net gains for biodiversity where
possible (DCLG, 2012).
1.3 A Protected Species Constraints Survey and desk-based literature search
(Cambridge Ecology 2017) carried out in January 2017 identified the
presence of waterbodies/ponds and records of Great Crested Newt on land
associated with the Cambourne to Cambridge Better Public Transport
Scheme. These ponds were considered to have potential to support Great
Crested Newt. Records indicating the presence of Great Crested Newt
increased the likelihood of this species present.
1.4 This eDNA water sampling and analysis was therefore recommended to
identify the potential presence of Great Crested Newt, to be present in the
waterbodies/ponds at the site. The presence of Great Crested Newt could
potentially cause a constraint to the proposed development; and would need
to be considered further in relation to maintaining compliance with wildlife
legislation and planning policy.
1.5 For clarity in this report the development site (or 'site') refers to land within
the red line boundary of the Cambourne to Cambridge Better Public
Transport Scheme (see Figure 1.1).
Aim
1.6 The aim of this survey was to indicate which of the eleven ponds, identified
as being accessible and within 250m of the development site showed
evidence to indicate the presence of Great Crested Newt through the
detection of their DNA in the pond water.
1.7 The results of the survey would then identify which ponds required specific
Great Crested Newt surveys.
1.8 The data would be used as the basis to highlight potential constraints to the
development associated with the presence of Great Crested Newt.
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Relevant Legislation and Policy
1.9 Relevant legislation and policies relating to the remit of this survey are listed
below:
The Conservation (Natural Habitats & Conservation.) (Amendments)
Regulations 2010;
Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006;
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended);
National Planning Policy Framework 2012;
Government Circular (ODPM 06/2005) Biodiversity and Geological
Conservation - Statutory Obligations & Their Impact Within the
Planning System.
The UK and Cambridgeshire Biodiversity Action Plan.
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2 METHODS
Desk-based literature search
2.1 A desk-based literature search (of various sources – see 2.2 below) was
undertaken in January 2017 to gather existing ecological information relating
to the proposed survey area. Only records of species and habitats less than
ten years old (since January 2007) were included, older records were noted,
but less likely to be relevant, except where more recent relevant records
were not available.
2.2 Records of protected species were gathered from various databases. These
included the following sources:
Cambridge and Peterborough Environmental Records Centre
Multi-Agency Geographical Information Coverage (MAGIC)
National Biodiversity Network Database (NBN)
Water Sampling and eDNA Analysis
2.3 eDNA test kits were obtained from SureScreen Scientific Ltd in order to
collect water samples to enable tests to be carried out of the pond water to
determine the presence of Great Crested Newt.
2.4 The methods used for water sample collection and eDNA analysis were
those described by Biggs et. al. 2014.
2.5 During the preliminary ecological constraints survey in January 2017 eleven
waterbodies were identified within 250m of the site which were freely
accessible and were considered to offer suitable aquatic habitat for Great
Crested Newts. Figure 2.1 shows the indicative location of all eleven
waterbodies. Table 2.1 provides details of the ponds.
2.6 The water samples were collected by Darren Frost (Licence reference:
2015-16850-CLS-CLS) on the 20th June 2017. These were refrigerated
and sent by couriered to SureScreen Scientific on the 22nd June 2017 for
eDNA analysis.
2.7 At the time the water samples were collected three of the ponds were dry.
Water samples were therefore only collected from the eight ponds that
contained water.
2.8 The location of the waterbodies where water samples were collected is
shown in Figure 2.2.
2.9 Photographs illustrate the nature, of the eleven ponds as they were found in
June 2017.
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Table 2.1: Details of the ponds under investigation for the presence of Great
Crested Newt
Pond Number
Barcode Pond location Pond Name Grid Reference Comments
1 33339 St Neots Rd Highfields
TL 36134 59769 Waterfowl present
2 33340 St Neots Rd Hardwick
TL 37105 59763 Waterfowl present
3 n/a Coton Village Coton TL 41686 58695 Dry
4 33341 Dept of Materials and Metallurgy
Dept of Materials and Metallurgy
TL 42484 58828 Waterfowl present
5 33342 West Cafe West Cafe TL 42878 58755 Fish
6 33343 Institute of Manufacturing
Institute of Manufacturing
TL 42694 58783 Waterfowl present
7 33344 Cavendish Laboratory
Cavendish Laboratory
TL 43131 58740 Waterfowl present
8 33345 Sports Ground Sports Ground 1 TL 43209 58670 Fish
9 33346 Sports Ground Sports Ground 2
TL 43355 58656 Visually, looked suitable for GCN
10 n/a Clare College Clare College 1 TL 43600 58334 Dry
11 n/a Clare College Clare College 2 TL 43437 58303 Dry
Limitations and Assumptions
2.10 The survey provided a robust and valid indication of the potential for the
ponds identified within the survey area site to support Great Crested Newt.
The survey was considered to have been carried out methodically and all
accessible ponds containing water were sampled thoroughly.
2.11 It should be noted that the absence of Great Crested Newt eDNA, would not
preclude their presence in a pond on a site. There would always be a risk
that Great Crested Newt were undetected, either owing to the scarcity of the
species at the site or the ability of Great Crested Newt to move to new sites
periodically and therefore move into an area after the survey had been
carried out.
2.12 The desk study used available records and historical data for the local area.
The biological records are useful as a general guide to supplement the site
visits. However, the absence of records does not necessarily indicate the
absence of species from the site. Biological records alone do not provide a
reliable indication of species presence/absence, as records depend entirely
on survey effort in the area, which is highly variable.
2.13 The results reported in this document represent those identified at the time
of the survey on the 20th June 2017.
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3 RESULTS
Desk-based literature search
3.1 The data search from January 2017 found records (within the last 10 years)
for Great Crested within 2km of the development site. Thirty-seven records
of Great Crested Newt were received, showing that this species was present
at seven sites within 2km of the development site.
3.2 These seven sites comprised: Adams Road Sanctuary City Wildlife Site
(CiWS); Bird Sanctuary, Conduit Head CiWS; Caldecote Highfields;
Cambridge; Little Common Farm, Bourn; Madingley Park& Ride, Cambridge
and Madingley.
Great Crested Newt eDNA Analysis
3.3 The results of the eDNA analysis of the water samples collected from the
ponds under investigation showed that one pond (Sports Ground 1) at grid
reference TL 43209 58670 was positive for Great Crested Newt DNA. The
remaining seven ponds were negative for Great Crested Newt DNA.
3.4 Table 3.1. provides details of the results of the eDNA of the ponds surveyed
on land associated with the Cambourne to Cambridge Better Public
Transport Scheme.
3.5 During the site visit to collect water samples from the ponds, a thorough
search for Great Crested Newt was carried out of suitable areas and natural
refugia adjacent to the ponds. No amphibians were found. The survey was
carried out during the summer when amphibians would normally be active
and therefore likely to be detected.
Table 3.1: Results of eDNA analysis of the ponds under investigation for the
presence of Great Crested Newt
Pond Number
Barcode Pond location Pond Name Grid Reference eDNA Analysis Result
1 33339 St Neots Rd Highfields TL 36134 59769 Negative
2 33340 St Neots Rd Hardwick TL 37105 59763 Negative
3 n/a Coton Village Coton TL 41686 58695 N/A
4 33341 Dept of
Materials and Metallurgy
Dept of Materials and Metallurgy
TL 42484 58828 Negative
5 33342 West Cafe West Cafe TL 42878 58755 Negative
6 33343 Institute of
Manufacturing Institute of
Manufacturing TL 42694 58783 Negative
7 33344 Cavendish Laboratory
Cavendish Laboratory
TL 43131 58740 Negative
8 33345 Sports Ground Sports Ground 1 TL 43209 58670 Positive
9 33346 Sports Ground Sports Ground 2 TL 43355 58656 Negative
10 n/a Clare College Clare College 1 TL 43600 58334 N/A
11 n/a Clare College Clare College 2 TL 43437 58303 N/A
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4 RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 As a result of this survey a number of recommendations can be made.
These relate to further survey work required to inform the scheme design
and planning process.
4.2 The survey found Great Crested Newt DNA in one pond (no. 8 Sports
Ground 1) indicating that Great Crested Newt were likely to be present.
Therefore, Great Crested Newt surveys (e.g. Torching, Bottle Trapping etc.)
are required to inform the planning process, the need for mitigation and the
possible need for a EPSDL.
4.3 Great Crested Newt surveys of the Sports Ground 1 pond should be carried
out in spring (March - June) 2018. These surveys would aim to establish the
size of the Great Crested Newt population in the pond and therefore at the
site. The results of the survey will also inform the need for and type of
mitigation required and contribute information towards the application of a
Great Crested Newt EPSDL, if one is considered necessary.
4.4 Great Crested Newt will use seasonally dry ponds for breeding (when they
contain water). Hence the absence of water in a particular year should not
be used as a reason to conclude that the three dry ponds are not Great
Crested Newt breeding ponds. Therefore, the three ponds that were dry in
June 2017 should be re-visited earlier in the season in 2018 (e.g. April). If
they contain water then these ponds should have water samples taken for
eDNA analysis.
4.5 Bearing in mind the proximity of Great Crested Newt to the site and the
ability for wildlife to periodically move to new locations, it is recommended
that to keep this information up to date, to inform the planning application
and impact assessment process; further Great Crested Newt eDNA be
undertaken periodically (e.g. 24 months); especially if the planning
application and/or development proposals were to be delayed.
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5 KEY POINTS AND FINDINGS
5.1 In June 2017 Cambridge Ecology Ltd successfully completed eDNA water
sampling of eight of eleven ponds. These were ponds located on land
associated with the Cambourne to Cambridge Better Public Transport
Scheme.
5.2 It was considered that the survey provided a robust and valid indication of
the potential for the site to support Great Crested Newt. The survey was
considered to have been carried out methodically and all accessible areas
searched thoroughly to locate ponds that could be sampled to detect eDNA
indicating the presence of Great Crested Newt.
5.3 The water sampling and eDNA analysis found:
One pond (No 8. Sports Ground 1) produced a positive result for Great
Crested Newt eDNA.
Three of the ponds to be dry at the time of water sampling, hence they
were not sampled.
Seven ponds produced negative results for Great Crested Newt
eDNA.
5.4 The desk-based literature search carried out in January 2017 found:
Thirty-seven records of Great Crested Newt, showing that this species
was present at seven sites within 2km of the development site during
the most recent 10 years.
5.5 The literature search indicates that a population of Great Crested Newt is
present in the vicinity of the site.
5.6 The eDNA analysis indicates that there is potentially a population of Great
Crested Newt within the site.
5.7 These results highlight the need for specific Great Crested Newt surveys
(e.g. Torching, Bottle Trapping etc.) to inform the planning process, the need
for mitigation and the possible need for a European Protected Species
Development Licence (EPSDL).
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6 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Biggs J, Ewald N, Valentini A, Gaboriaud C, Griffiths RA, Foster J, Wilkinson J, Arnett A, Williams P and Dunn F (2014). Analytical and methodological development for improved surveillance of the Great Crested Newt. Appendix 5. Technical advice note for field and laboratory sampling of great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) environmental DNA. Freshwater Habitats Trust, Oxford.
Cambridge Ecology (2017). Cambourne to Cambridge Better Public Transport: Protected Species Constraints Survey. Final Report. P0608-R-001a.
English Nature (2001) Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature
Gent, T. and Gibson, S. (eds.) (2003) The Herpetofauna Workers Manual, JNCC, Peterborough.
HMSO (2000) Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act. HMSO, London.
HMSO (2006) Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act HMSO London.
HMSO (2010) Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) HMSO, London.
Langton T., Beckett C. and Foster J. (2001). Great Crested Newt Conservation Handbook, Froglife, Halesworth.
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7 FIGURES
Figure 1.1: Plan of the survey area (Red Line Boundary).
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Figure 2.1: Ponds identified during the preliminary ecological constraints survey in January 2017
1 2
3 4
5 6 7
8
9
10 11
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Figure 2.2: Ponds containing water where eDNA water samples were collected
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Figure 3.1: Pond where Great Crested Newt eDNA was detected
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8 PHOTOGRAPHS
Photo No.
Photograph Description
1
Pond 1: Highfields
2
Pond 2: Hardwick
3
Pond 3: Coton
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4
Pond 4: Dept of Materials and Metallurgy
5
Pond 4: Dept of Materials and Metallurgy
6
Pond 5: West Cafe
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7
Pond 6: Institute of Manufacturing
8
Pond 7: Cavendish Laboratory
9
Pond 8: Sports Ground 1
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10
Pond 9: Sports Ground 2
11
Pond10: Clare College 1
12
Pond 11: Clare College 2